A spool clamp, as you can see from the picture borrowed from Stewart-MacDonald, is about clamping the back OR top on to the sides.   While I fully expect to have to by some tools from Stewart-MacDonald (or other Luthier Supply houses), I figured this was one that was easy to make.  Also, the cost from Steward-MacDonald was about $25 for 6 and I could make 40 or so for about $40 in supplies (don’t know if I need 40 but I’ll have them).  I got the bolts, washers, and wing-nuts along with a closet dowel (almost 2″ diameter).  I determined after an experiment or two that 3/4″ thickness on the dowel seems optimal.  Some sawing and sanding and drilling and suddenly, I have 40 or so clamps.

I still need to get some cork for the padding in the clamp so I don’t mar the surface.  All, in all, they turned out very similar to the pictures above so I’m pretty satisfied.

Post from: This Week in Wood (c)2009 Glenn Thompson. For Downloads, Pictures, and other great content go to This Week in Wood. See This Week in Wood Legal Information Page for specific usage rights.

Making Spool Clamps for Guitar/Luthier Work

The first set of videos came from The Wood Whisperer (though actually a viewer’s contribution).  It’s a 3 part series done by a viewer that is trying for the first time to build a guitar.

I think after searching the internet for videos on the subject of Guitar Making (and there are a lot), that my favorite set is from Steve Dickie.  You can find Steve’s Youtube Channel here.  The reason that his videos are my favorite is that his are more thorough and detailed giving a prospective guitar maker a good idea of what is ahead in the process.  That’s not to say that there are not good bits in other’s videos but Steve has so much more than any of the other videos that I’ve watched.  There is one downside and that is that we are missing the end.  It seems like there should be a part 9 which includes the Bridge and Strings and finally playing the guitar.  Even with this shortcoming, I highly encourage you to go through his extensive set of videos if this is a topic of interest.

It’s amazing how much confidence that these 2 video series inspire in a prospective guitar builder.

Post from: This Week in Wood (c)2009 Glenn Thompson. For Downloads, Pictures, and other great content go to This Week in Wood. See This Week in Wood Legal Information Page for specific usage rights.

Guitar Making